Songs From The Hole was the inspiration of JJ’88, who at 15 took a life. While serving a double-life prison sentence, he wrote the songs that become the genesis of this unique documentary visual album. It’s part of the InThrive Festival, which celebrates the voices and talents of incarceration survivors, and runs Oct 18 – 19 at First Baptist Church. The discussion with JJ’88 and the director Contessa Gayles includes:

– How Contessa got involved

– The story behind the characters

– Why this approach instead of regular “talking head” doc

– Using animation and other visual elements

– The complex combo of real people and actors

– Winning the SXSW Vision Audience Award

– A background on the festival

LINKS

InThrive Film Festival (Richmond event)

Songs from the Hole website

Virginia Film Festival

My review of the Offer (about making of The Godfather)